Our 5th grandchild, a girl, was born last Saturday evening, January 19th, to our daughter Brooke and son in love JB, and to big sisters Emma and Ellis. I have been in their home in Virginia all this month, helping to prepare (changing 84 diapers) and to just be near my daughter and her beautiful family. Brooke’s due date was January 7, but like her barely older sister Ellis, this baby decided to arrive 12 days later. Not late, mind you, just later.Isobel Nicole Taylor burst onto the scene pretty quickly once she decided to make her move. Her mama was amazingly calm and graceful; and efficient. I’m not sure that’s the correct term I should use, efficient, but it seems to fit. You mamas know what I mean. She just owned it. I know, because I was in the room with her and JB and my other 2 granddaughters. It was a family affair for sure. So thankful that I could be there!
There is no greater miracle to behold, than to see a baby come into this world. The whole experience, labor and delivery, is quite, well, miraculous. It is surreal and beautiful watching your own daughter become a mother, whether for the first time or the tenth. With that last intense, fervent push comes life in all its squishy, reddish, perfect wonderfulness. So awed by this miracle of birth. How can it not bring hope? Carl Sandberg says, “a baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” Yes.
Beyond the obvious miracle of this event and new angel in our family, another poignant detail is worth noting.
Brooke told me she was pregnant on the day Jordan passed away. I didn’t really grasp at the time that it would be Jordan’s last day with us. But, as I had kept Brooke and her brothers up on the sudden changes in her condition, she had a sensing to tell us her news that day. She wanted her big sister to know that she would be an aunt again.
It was one of the last things I whispered to Jordan.
She took that little treasure to heaven with her.
And her niece has her middle name’s sake.
Life is eternal.
i sense it more every day.
Here, on earth, life is composed of birth and death and all the in-between space. It can seem more like a line than a circle. But circles are unending. Like eternity. Because of Jesus, we can live fully in the in-between, leaning on grace upon grace; sure of our forever home; looking forward to perfection in every way imaginable and beyond.
Face to face worship
Knowing fully
No more goodbyes
No unbroken circles
Love never ending.
Maybe today, you and I will choose to think on these things, and treasure them in our hearts, like Mary did. (Luke 2:19, 51) I pray it brings you hope wherever you are in your circle.
“And as Christ Himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory!” Colossians 3:4 (TPT)
Love and Peace to you my friend,
Kim
Welcome to the world Isobel Nicole Taylor!
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